Madigan Army Medical Center

I had a partial nephrectomy at this hospital last Summer. I have to say that I don’t have much experience with open abdominal surgeries or the aftermath. What I CAN tell you that I delivered my two girls without as much as an aspirin, and I’d consider myself not one who complains easily. I had kidney stones even, but even that was nothing compared to what this hospital put me through. First: My surgery was supposed to be a 45 minute procedure. DaVinchy method. About half way in of those 45 minutes it was decided they needed to do an open abdominal to remove that part of my kidney. It ended up being an almost 6 hour operation ( - which is ok! I understood there could be complications. ) ~~ They turned me for the open abdominal without aligning my spine. I had to relearn how to use my right leg because of nerve damage. I was never told that they significantly injured my bowels, or when. It took a year for me to learn their was thermal cuts inflicted on my bowels during the surgery. They just told me they had to take my bowels out (!!!), and rearrange them after they removed part of my kidney. I was never told my abdomen had to be flushed several times, nor about the extra blood infusions. - I wondered why I was on about five different antibiotics, but then again I never had major surgery. They did not even put a pull-up attachment on my bed. They said they don’t have them. I was stapled, and stitched up throughout my entire left abdomen, and was told I have to push myself up to get moving, and use the rest room. On the second day one of the residents with a few students walked in again. It’s a teaching hospital, so it’s a normal routine. I never forget that guy’s face because he walked up to my bed, telling the students about my case, lifting up my gown, and ripping off the surgical vacuum seal above my abdominal cut, which was stapled, and about 14 inches long. Showing off, trying to impress, not following procedures. - One third of my abdominal incision ripped open almost immediately, not enough to bleed and raise concern. Again! I was given as much as an ibuprofen for pain. On the third day I was sent home, and even while administering all hygiene/ dressing procedures I all of a sudden started having a fever of 103. I ended up at the in the emergency room and of the Swedish Hospital in Seattle with a blood infection because one third of my surgical incision was an open gap. —— It is one year later now, and we moved to Fort Bliss. Over the last 9 months I tried to establish pre-surgery care, also building - up - scar - tissue - care. Since I never knew that they had cut my bowls I never questioned why my stomach was bloated, I couldn’t go to the bathroom sometimes for three, four days, and I always had to massage my left side in order to even go. Sometimes it felt like I ripped a string. —- However, if you are about to have major surgery at Madigan, even it is a teaching military hospital, think twice. I am not even telling you of all of the details. Or the bed site care, doctors, daily routines which made me feel like an exhibit to whoever student/ resident marched in. - I do know one thing, and don’t forget I was prepared in mind. ~~~ This was the most unsupervised, most unprofessional, most cruel (You need to sit up, walk! (- 15 minutes after wake up, and I wasn’t told that I was “under “ / in surgery for the planned 45 minutes, but for almost 6 hours. ) —— I won’t read over this again to correct my grammar/ typos because I put this into writing so fast. Because I might delete it, and I did not speak of half of all of it. They tell you you can’t complain, you can’t take a lawyer because you signed a waiver. You knew it’s a teaching hospital. It’s a military hospital, but don’t buy that. - Do not get major surgery done at this hospital. It messed me up for life, and I thought I was sick when I went in.

Never let anyone you care about visit the 5 north wing. Some of their staff especially night staff have issues. Honestly id open an investigation into the facility. The military staff are all pretty good but I'd fire a majority of the civilian staff for medical neglect, degradation and maltreatment of their patients. No wonder the suicide rate is so high. I feel for those patients. They watch and monitor your phone calls so the patients are in fear to speak out. They hover when there are visitors as I've seen while visiting my loved one. Somebody has to look into this place. Something shady is going on with some of those staff.

Reading these comments makes me laugh a little to hard, have to drive to Madigan from Whidbey Island, been going for months and most appointments are just to have a chat. Regardless of the 135 miles I drive to get there, i understand that this is a massive facility supporting both civilian and military. Instead of expecting a 5 star accommodations from a hospital serving thousands, maybe just be thankful that most of you if not all are receiving free treatment for your various needs.

Was referred to get counseling. They do not keep there appointments. I called them telling them they didn’t keep the appointment by phone and just heard a ton of excuses and that they would call back. Nope nothing. 3 times I tried. I am on the EFMP and counseling is on my plan. I am limited to certain military bases because supposedly these are the only ones able to help me. Last duty station I was able to get services was Fort Leonard Wood and that was 6 years ago. Definitely getting off the EFMP as it only hurts my family and not help in any way. I have never been able to get help on or off of bases as they are not accepting patients or on base doesn’t have services.nnUpdate: hoping this helps others.nnI made an ice complaint and they where on the ball for ONE appointment. Madigan didn’t call me today for my counseling appointment AGAIN.

Rude front desk ladies at front of emergency room I come in for something simple and they scream at me for not knowing my dod number.nIf I had a choice being a soldier I would not choose this place ever again I do not recommend it